Construction begins on GM's $600 million paint shop at Flint Assembly

FLINT, MI – Construction began Wednesday, April 2, on the $600 million paint shop addition General Motors plans for the Flint Assembly Plant.

During a speech to the Flint & Genesee County Chamber of Commerce,

Gerald Johnson, vice president of GM North America Manufacturing and Labor Relations, announced the start of construction at a Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Wednesday. He told the more than 450 people attending that the work marks the continuation of a relationship between the city and company.

At its peak, GM officials said, they expect about 280 people to work roughly 270,000 hours on the paint shop construction. As equipment is installed, those employment numbers will jump to 550 people, who are expected to work 1 million hours.

The new shop will allow the use of improved sealers and coatings that will increase corrosion resistance, a corporate fact sheet says. Paint sludge sent to landfills from Flint Assembly is expected to decline by 90 percent, gas use will be reduced by 20 percent and electricity use is expected to drop by 40 percent.